TORONTO – The Toronto Port Lands Company (TPLC) and the city of Toronto are at odds over who is responsible for maintaining rail lines that cross over bike lanes along Lakeshore Boulevard West.
Several cyclists have been injured recently after their tires got caught in rubber moulding beside the track.
The TPLC inspected the tracks Tuesday morning and the city’s Transportation Services department set up pylons and caution tape until permanent fixes are made.
The company is willing to make the repairs but is adamant it’s not actually their responsibility.
“It’s the city’s responsibility to maintain a safe passing over the rail,” Alan Kearsey, Toronto Port Lands Company Senior Property Manager said. “We’re going to proceed and get this work done.”
Several people have been injured when crossing the tracks: one of two people injured at the tracks on Sunday afternoon had to be taken to hospital.
But the city is saying it’s up to the Port Lands Company to keep rail lines safe.
“The rail lines themselves are actually responsible for the rail lines,” Toronto Transportation Services General Manger Stephen Buckley said. “We have been in contact with them already. They’re going to have a crew out there tomorrow to fix it.”
Cycling activists think it should be the city’s responsibility however to protect residents from unsafe infrastructure.
“I think it’s something that the city needs to own,” Cycle Toronto volunteer Paul Moir said. “It’s a piece of community property used by the residents of Toronto.”
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